Braskem, a Brazilian-based company that is the world's largest producer of polymers made from renewable resources, is making effective and concrete contributions to Rio+20. The largest petrochemical producer in the Americas, Braskem is supporting some of the most important events at the conference and is also demonstrating technologies that foster innovation and sustainable development. Braskem is also an official supplier of support materials to the UN conference, all of which are made from its Green Plastic.

Braskem's participation in this UN global conference on sustainable development is aligned with its 2020 Vision, through which the company aspires to become the world leader in sustainable chemicals. Braskem works to advance this leadership through regular investments in technology and innovation to ensure that it better serves society.

According to Jorge Soto, sustainable development director at Braskem, the theme of the green economy that will be at the center of discussions at Rio+20 shows that companies are no longer seen as merely the cause of environmental degradation, but are now recognized as part of the solution to these issues. This inclusion of economic and social aspects in the concept of sustainability also shows how thinking on this issue has matured.

"Achieving a green economy is impossible if the business community is not involved. At Braskem, we are constantly evolving on this front and believe that participation in business forums where these practices are discussed and shared is an excellent way to continue moving forward," he said.

Soto, who is a member of the Brazilian Committee of the Global Compact, the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development and Business Action for Sustainable Development (a coalition of leading international business groups created specifically for Rio+20), said that all companies should ask how they can help advance sustainable development through their own business. "The answer to this question encourages reflection and actions that can create new business opportunities, whether in the form of lower costs, an expanded product portfolio or a larger relationship network, while also improving economic, environmental and social performance," noted Soto.

Braskem will serve as an official supplier of materials to Rio+20. The company will make available to event organizers 50,000 water bottles made from Green Plastic, which is manufactured using raw materials obtained 100% from renewable resources. Braskem will also supply 50,000 tote bags and 600 containers made from green polyethylene.

Activities sponsored by Braskem at Rio+20 include:

Science and technology

Braskem will participate in the exposition entitled "Innovation for Sustainable Development," organized between June 15 and 21 by FINEP, a research and project finance mechanism linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology. FINEP works to promote economic and social development in Brazil by providing government support for Science, Technology and Innovation at companies, universities, technological institutions as well as other government and private institutions.

Recycling plant

In partnership with Cetrel, its environmental engineering arm, Braskem will install at the conference a functioning recycling plant that will transform plastic waste into furniture made from plastic wood. The recycling plant will be in operation from June 12 to 23 at Athletes Park (Parque dos Atletas), which is one of the focal points of the United Nations conference.

Those participating in the event will learn all about how plastic wood furniture is made, which looks very similar to furniture made from rustic wood. The waste products will be transformed into benches, planting boxes and waste containers. The initiative seeks to show new ways of how plastic can be used to create a new post-consumer cycle for this material.

Braskem will also sponsor some of the more notable events leading up to Rio+20:

CNI - Meeting of Industry for Sustainability, June 14

The event consists of a set of actions being coordinated by the National Manufacturers' Confederation (CNI) to debate the themes on the Rio+20 agenda in order to mobilize Brazil's industrial sector. At Rio+20, CNI will present its position on the issues being discussed and the advances achieved over the last 20 years in various industrial sectors on the path towards sustainable development.

Global Compact Corporate Sustainability Forum, June 15 - 18

The NGO Global Compact is holding various workshops and thematic sessions linked to the Rio+20 agenda to strengthen the contribution made by companies to sustainable development.

UFRJ / Coppe - The Future is Sustainable, June 18 - 22

This event will showcase the contributions made by the engineering sciences that help build a future that is more sustainable and equitable. The event will feature panels, plenary sessions, lectures, a talk show and expositions. It will also present the technologies, projects and solutions developed by COPPE (an engineering graduate school and research institute) and its partner institutions that contribute to sustainable development and poverty eradication.

BASD Business Day, June 19

Organized by the Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD), which is formed by three large international business networks, BASD Business Day will bring together CEOs and other senior executives from large conglomerates to participate in a high-level panel. One of the themes will be creating a bridge between business leaders and policymakers to promote interaction. Representatives from NGOs and government will also participate in the event.

Braskem is the Americas' top thermoplastic resins producer. With 35 industrial plants spread across Brazil, the United States and Germany, the company produces over 35 billion pounds of thermoplastic resins and other petrochemicals per year. Braskem is the world's leading biopolymers producer with its 440 million pound Green PE plant that produces polyethylene from sugarcane-based ethanol.

Braskem America is a leading producer of polypropylene in the U.S. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company operates five production facilities located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and a Technology and Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. Braskem America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. For more information about Braskem and its products, visit www.braskem.com.